Barbie Ferreira explains why she left Euphoria
Fans were devastated after the show favourite announced she was leaving the hit HBO series
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Euphoria star Barbie Ferreira has addressed her decision to leave the acclaimed HBO drama following reports of a feud between her and showrunner Sam Levinson.
In August last year, the actor announced that she would not be returning as fan-favourite Kat in season three.
Many fans at the time expressed their disappointment on social media, arguing that her character “deserved better” after being given a smaller role in season two.
Rumours also emerged suggesting Ferreira and showrunner Sam Levinson had clashed on set. You can read The Independent’s timeline of the controversies surrounding the writer here.
Appearing on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast on Monday (3 April), Ferreira appeared to pour cold water on rumours of her alleged feud with Levinson.
‘I hear they took it off. If it’s really offending people – why not?’ Chris O’Dowd on the axed IT Crowd episode, midlife crises and The Big Door Prize
Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie’s cause of death disclosed
‘I no longer have a brother’: Phillip Schofield disowns sibling guilty of child sex abuse
“For me, when people ask me about season two, it’s usually they come at me with, like, I was some sort of victim to season two,” she said. “And I’m always like, ‘No, it’s OK, promise. It’s good.’
“I actually did not walk off set. I did sprain my ankle once and had to go get an X-ray. Maybe that’s what they mean?”
The 26-year-old added that her character’s departure was a “mutual decision” because there wasn’t “a place for her to go”.
“I think there were places she could have gone,” she said. “I just don’t think it would have fit into the show. I don’t know if it was going to do her justice, and I think both parties knew that I really wanted to be able to not be the fat best friend. I don’t want to play that, and I think they didn’t want that either.”
Kat became a body positivity icon in season one of Euphoria, with the high school character writing erotic stories on Tumblr and becoming a camgirl.
In her Instagram post announcing her exit from the show last year, Ferreira wrote: “After four years of getting to embody the most special and enigmatic character Kat, I’m having to say a very teary-eyed goodbye.
“I hope many of you could see yourself in her like I did and that she brought you joy to see her journey into the character she is today. I put all my care and love into her and I hope you guys could feel it. Love you Katherine Hernandez.”
On Monday, Deadline reported that Ferreira would next star alongside Stranger Things’ Dacre Montgomery in the “reimagining” of the 1978 horror film Faces Of Death, which will begin shooting this month.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments